Throughout the month of April, I’ll be sharing some thoughts on Lent, Easter and the Two Kingdoms.

Yesterday we began the Sixth Week of Lent.  Lent – originally the term meant “spring” – and is to be understood as a time of rebirth and renewal in preparation for the celebration of Easter.

An essential exercise in spiritual renewal is self-examination.  Psalm 139:23-24 reads, Search me, O God, and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  The apostle Paul put it this way: Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith.  Test yourselves…unless indeed you fail to meet the test. (2 Cor. 13:5)

Why is this exercise necessary?  It is necessary not only for personal spiritual renewal and growth, but for the building up of the Church (Right Hand Kingdom), which in turn exalts the nation (Left Hand Kingdom) (Prov. 14:34).  But it all begins with self-examination, which is what Lent is all about – a season of spiritual “spring cleaning.”

If we care about the well-being of the Nation, we would do well to heed the words of the Psalmist and Apostle.  2 Chronicles 7:14 adds emphasis to this principle.  If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land.

 Such examination leads to confession, and confession unlocks the door of promised divine absolution (1 John 1:9), resulting in transformation; and transformed lives (i.e. righteousness) exalts the Nation.

Lent is all about personal spiritual cleansing and renewal.

The greatest impact the Church can have upon the State is for each one of us “living stones built into this spiritual house” (the church – 1 Peter 2:5) pray that the Spirit of the Lord would search our heart and try our thoughts…and lead us in the way everlasting.

Blessed “spring cleaning” to all!